To David Chorley, Director and member of the ensemble of Mesa Community College's fundraising event for America Reads/America Counts, the Neil Simon play Rumors, comedy is serious business. The naturally funny Chorley is rather cerebral about what makes people laugh. He's constantly experimenting, always treating theatre like a chess match, thinking five steps ahead about the consequences of each possible nuance or gesture that will make an audience laugh. It's this seriousness that makes him such a potential force in the future of comic theatre in Phoenix. There are some that say he's too over the top, or that he'll do anything for a laugh, though I attribute this to youth. One of my favorite funny men, Steve Martin, took a decade to strike the balance with which he is now blessed. Mr. Chorley's growing maturation is obvious with this latest project. Yes, this Rumors is played by a group of early twentysomethings attempting to act like forty and fiftysomethings, but while that stretches credibility, it doesn't impinge on the comedy. What this ensemble lacks in understated complicity and age-worn sophistication, they make up for with irrepressible zeal and wackiness.

Simon's 1988 comedy Rumors came right after the playwright had reflected upon his own life with the autobiographical Brighton Beach Memoirs trilogy. A totally joke-driven play, Simon infuses the tenth anniversary party of the deputy mayor of New York City and his wife with a mystery; the politician lies in his bed with an unexplained gunshot wound, his wife and the servants are nowhere to be found, and the punctual guests attempt to hide the potential scandal from the latecomers.

Mr. Chorley's direction leans to the side of farce, not a bad choice for this overt script. The pacing is red-hot, though it does establish a rhythmic tempo to keep it from becoming overwhelming. The blocking is appropriately frenetic, and never misses a chance to create a funny sight gag or stage picture. He has cast a group of talented youngsters who are filled with boundless energy.

Remarkably, there isn't a bad performance in the ensemble, though Mr. Chorley is the subtlest as the uptight analyst Ernie. Where everyone has headed in the general direction of caricature, he shows remarkable restraint throughout. Ben Giroux plays the emotional accountant Lenny with an over-the-top bravado that is the source of many a funny moment. Tiffany Broshar and Misha Faucher are very enjoyable, and a little more grounded as Chris and Claire, the wives of the first arriving couples. Phillip Fazio is equally grounded though just a little off in comedic delivery as fastidious lawyer Ken. The three performers who lean toward grander dramatics are Emily Smith as the déclassé cooking show host Cookie, Aaron Holtz as burgeoning state politician Glenn, and Natalie Ellis as his wife, new age kook Cassie. While they are prone to a little grandstanding, they are always quick with their deliveries. Adam Rini and Daniel Sykes are solid in their walk-on roles.

For a benefit performance, the design element doesn't show signs of a limited budget. Set Designer T.J. Weltzien has created an absolutely sumptuous living room and farçerie of sweeping staircases, slammable doors and leveled playing spaces. Mr. Chorley and Mike Farfalla have a great sound effects design, though the music that bookends each act is rather unnecessary, especially the crescendo that overwhelms the scene just before intermission.

The production of Rumors that Phoenix Theatre will be mounting for its 2002/2003 season may be more polished and played by actors closer to the ages of their characters, though I doubt it will be quite as ebullient. I recommend your supporting this worthy cause while enjoying a showcase of future Phoenix comedians and comediennes.

Production Details:
Rumors by Neil Simon
MCC Fundraiser for America Reads/America Counts
Phoenix College's Bullpit Auditorium (For a map to location, click this link)
(480) 730-1977
August 9th - 17th, 2002

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